Navigation and your fingertips: an easy guide to digital charts, plotters and MFDs, How to sail around headlands, races and overfalls, 10 ways to save…
Practical Boat Owner
July issue – 8 May
Navigation and your fingertips: an easy guide to digital charts, plotters and MFDs, How to sail around headlands, races and overfalls, 10 ways to save fuel, spotlight on the Pointer…
I’m a commercial skipper and this is my onboard essentials list for a Mediterranean Yacht Charter
After several seasons working as a commercial skipper, I’ve got my onboard essentials locked in. Whether you’re a sailor or a guest, the key to packing for a Mediterranean Yacht…
Can VHF and AIS run on the same aerial?
Boat owner Robert Campbell is considering fitting a splitter so his AIS transceiver can share the same aerial as his VHF radio. Is it a good idea?
‘I smelled burning plastic and realised my plug was melting!’
Electrical and faulty appliances – 52% risk factor in boat fires Electrical fires make up over half of all boat fires according to insurance information obtained by Boatus.com I’m no…
Propeller care: everything you need to know
Stu Davies has valuable tips on how to maintain your prop – and explains how this vital bit of kit works, and why propeller care is needed
DIY engine replacement saves boat owner £1,500
When his Bukh DV20 engine fails, boat owner Richard Reed saves cash by installing a ‘new’ second-hand Beta 28 and doing a DIY marine engine replacement
Garcia Exploration 45: the ultimate go-anywhere 45ft yacht?
The aluminium-hulled Garcia Exploration 45 is the ultimate ‘go anywhere’ 45-footer, says Peter K Poland. With panoramic views onto the outside world.
Invicta 26: a long keel yacht for the price of a good dinghy
Based on the Folkboat, the GRP Invicta 26 is a classic long keel yacht that can often be bought for the price of a good dinghy.
Westons Point 27: the head-turning gentleman’s launch
A semi-bespoke gentleman’s launch in cedar strip construction, the Westons Point 27 is a real head-turner that oozes traditional craftsmanship, as David Harding reports
Stitelmann first to leave the Marquesas in Leg 2 of the Mini Globe Race
In the latest from the Mini Globe Race, Renaud Stitelmann (Capucinette) is the first to set out from the Marquesas Islands. After completing his 8 day pitstop on Hiva On,…
How to sail around the UK and Ireland
Sam Steele explains everything you need to know about a circumnavigation of Britain and Ireland
How to sleep sailing shorthanded
John Apps stresses the importance of sleeping sufficiently on long-distance single-handed passages, and explains how to snatch safe naps without leaving yourself vulnerable
How to cross a Traffic Separation Scheme
Sticky Stapylton explains the meaning and intended purpose of traffic separation schemes – and what you should know if your boat has to enter or leave one
How I achieved optimal propeller pitch
Correct propeller size and pitch offer smooth and economical progress under engine. Peter Hawkins explains how he calculated the best combination for his boat
Understanding tidal streams and heights
Understanding tidal streams and heights is essential for passage planning and safe navigation. The RYA's former chief examiner, James Stevens, explains how
Repairing an inflatable dinghy: fixing holes
Paul Diamond repairs a dinghy that was chewed by rodents
Can I trust this boat mooring?
Most sailors use traditional moorings without knowing about their condition or how they are made. Ben Sutcliffe-Davies explains
Why Plan B is the route to success
Katy Stickland meets the founder and students at Plan B to see how boatbuilding and sailing are giving teenagers a second chance
Rubbing strakes refurbishment: step-by-step guide
Rubbing strakes take a lot of abuse, so it is important to pay them some attention. Ben Meakins shares how he made the ones on his boat as good as…
Why Orca is a gamechanger for cruising sailors
Digital navigation is slowly replacing traditional chart-table work for most cruising sailors, even though many still carry aging paper charts. We’ve become used to those large, boxy plotters (or multifunction…